Packet specific beam-forming network

ABSTRACT

System and methods for wirelessly transporting data from a first communication node to a second communication node using different combinations of beams and on a packet-by-packet basis. Packets associated with a certain Quality of Service (QoS) and/or latency requirements are transported between the first and the second nodes using a first transmission path, while packets associated with a different QoS/latency requirements, are transported between the first and the second nodes using another transmission path, in which in order to switch from the first path to the second path, the system adjusts appropriate beam directions in real-time, and so as to result in fast-switching beam configurations that dynamically change in accordance to packet movement in the network. Latency-critical packets are directed to the faster path, while other packets are directed to the slower path, so as to prevent network congestion and optimize overall network performance.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates generally to wireless communications.

BACKGROUND

In communication systems, and more specifically in wireless meshnetworks, some transmission paths with multiple hops may exhibit poorlatency performance that may not be tolerated by certain types ofpackets requiring a certain quality of service (QoS) or restricted bysome real-time constraints, while other packets can do with a higherlatency that is still good enough for certain applications. Packetsrequiring low latency may suffer delays as a result of other packetssharing the same transmission path and causing congestion. Wirelesscommunication systems may employ beamforming techniques that allow forhigher system gain, which in turn may boost data rates and/or allow forgreater transmission distances given a certain transmission power.

SUMMARY

Example embodiments described herein have innovative features, no singleone of which is indispensable or solely responsible for their desirableattributes. The following description and drawings set forth certainillustrative implementations of the disclosure in detail, which areindicative of several exemplary ways in which the various principles ofthe disclosure may be carried out. The illustrative examples, however,are not exhaustive of the many possible embodiments of the disclosure.Without limiting the scope of the claims, some of the advantageousfeatures will now be summarized. Other objects, advantages and novelfeatures of the disclosure will be set forth in the following detaileddescription of the disclosure when considered in conjunction with thedrawings, which are intended to illustrate, not limit, the invention.

One embodiment is a system operative to wirelessly transport data from afirst communication node to a second communication node using multiplebeam directions and based on packet-related information, comprising: afirst communication node comprising a first multi-beam subsystem; asecond communication node comprising a second multi-beam subsystem; anda plurality of intermediary nodes including at least first and secondintermediary nodes, wherein the system is configured to: transmit afirst packet associated with a first packet-related information via afirst path comprising the first communication node, the firstintermediary node, and the second communication node, in which infacilitation of said transmission: the first multi-beam subsystem isconfigured to use a first beam direction, and the second multi-beamsubsystem is configured to use a second beam direction; and thentransmit a second packet associated with a second packet-relatedinformation via a second path comprising the first communication node,the second intermediary node, and the second communication node, inwhich immediately prior to said transmission of the second packet: thefirst multi-beam subsystem is configured to switch into a third beamdirection operative to facilitate transmission toward the secondintermediary node, and the second multi-beam subsystem is configured toswitch into a fourth beam direction operative to receive thetransmission from one of the intermediary nodes.

One embodiment is a method for wirelessly transporting data from a firstcommunication node to a second communication node using multiple beamdirections and based on packet-related information, comprising:transmitting a first packet associated with a first packet-relatedinformation via a first path comprising a first communication node, afirst intermediary node, and a second communication node, using a firstbeam direction; determining that a second packet associated with asecond packet-related information is about to be transmitted; switching,as a result of said determining, into another beam direction operativeto facilitate transmission toward a second intermediary node; andtransmitting the second packet associated with the second packet-relatedinformation via a second path comprising the first communication node,the second intermediary node, and the second communication node.

One embodiment is a system operative to wirelessly transport data from afirst communication node to a second communication node using multiplebeam directions and based on packet-related information, comprising: afirst communication node comprising a first multi-beam subsystem; and asecond communication node; wherein the system is configured to: transmita first packet associated with a first packet-related information via afirst path comprising the first and the second communication nodes, inwhich in facilitation of said transmission: the first multi-beamsubsystem is configured to use a first beam direction; and then transmita second packet associated with a second packet-related information viaa second path comprising the first and the second communication nodes,in which: (i) immediately prior to said transmission of the secondpacket: the first multi-beam subsystem is configured to switch intoanother beam direction, and (ii) said switching associated with thefirst communication node is done based on the second packet beingassociated with the second packet-related information, and on apacket-by-packet basis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the conceptsdisclosed herein, reference is made to the detailed description ofpreferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings. The embodiments areherein described by way of example only, with reference to theaccompanying drawings. No attempt is made to show structural details ofthe embodiments in more detail than is necessary for a fundamentalunderstanding of the embodiments.

FIG. 1A illustrates one embodiment of a wireless communication networkoperative to wirelessly transport packets between the different nodes ofthe network.

FIG. 1B illustrates one embodiment of one possible transmission pathutilized by the wireless communication network to transport packetswirelessly.

FIG. 1C illustrates one embodiment of another possible transmission pathutilized by the wireless communication network to transport packetswirelessly.

FIG. 1D illustrates one embodiment of beam-forming elements operating inat least some nodes of the network and generating several possible beamcombinations.

FIG. 1E illustrates one embodiment of packets being wirelesslytransported via the various paths of the network and on apacket-by-packet basis.

FIG. 2A illustrates one embodiment of a beam switching subsystem withinat least some of the nodes of the network.

FIG. 2B illustrates one embodiment of possible beam combinationsgenerated by the beam switching subsystem.

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a phased-array beamformingsubsystem within at least some of the nodes of the network and somepossible beam combinations generated by the beamforming subsystem.

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a method for wirelesslytransporting data from a first communication node to a secondcommunication node using multiple beam directions and based onpacket-related information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A illustrates one embodiment of a wireless communication networkoperative to wirelessly transport packets between the different nodes ofthe network. Wireless communication node 10node1 may transmit/receivepackets to/from both node 11inter1 via communication link 12link1 andto/from node 11inter2 via communication link 12link3. In a similarfashion, nodes 11inter1 and 10node2 wirelessly exchange packets viacommunication link 12link2, nodes 11inter3 and 10node2 wirelesslyexchange packets via communication link 12link4, and nodes 11inter3 and11inter2 wirelessly exchange packets via communication link 12link5. Thecommunication network may be a wireless mesh network, a backhaulnetwork, a relay network, or a combination thereof. The communicationnetwork may be based on, or derived from, cellular transmissionstandards such as LTE, 4G, and 5G, WiFi (IEEE 802.11) transmissionstandards, or proprietary standards. The communication network may uselicensed frequencies in the sub 1 GHz bands, 1.7-2.3 GHz bands, and2.5-3.6 GHz bands, or it may use unlicensed frequencies in the 2.4 GHzband and 5 GHz bands. Millimeter-wave frequencies in the 30-70 GHz bandscan also be used, as well as other frequency bands, provided thatmultiple radio-frequency beams can be generated by at least some of thecommunication nodes in conjunction with packet transmission and via beamforming/switching antenna configurations 10BF1, 10BF2 associated with atleast some of the nodes. Nodes 11inter are intermediary nodes in thesense that any packet going from 10node1 to 10node2 has to travel via atleast some of the intermediary nodes. The network topology depicted isby way of example and not limitation, provided that there are at leasttwo different paths to propagate packets from 10node1 to 10node2, andprovided that beam forming/switching antenna configurations 10BF1, 10BF2are available in support of the at least two different paths.

FIG. 1B illustrates one embodiment of one possible transmission pathutilized by the wireless communication network to transport packetswirelessly. The one possible transmission path 13path1 comprises thenodes 10node1, 11inter1 and 10node2. Other nodes may also be included inpath 13path1.

FIG. 1C illustrates one embodiment of another possible transmission pathutilized by the wireless communication network to transport packetswirelessly. The another possible transmission path 13path2 comprises thenodes 10node1, 11inter2, 11inter3, and 10node2. Other nodes may also beincluded in path 13path2. Other transmission paths are also possible,provided that they include the nodes 10node1 and 10node2, and a newcombination of intermediary nodes 11inter connecting them. Theintermediary nodes 11inter may be excusive for each path, but,alternatively, any intermediary node may serve more than one path. Eachof the depicted paths 13path1 and 13path2 have an exclusive set ofintermediary nodes by way of example.

FIG. 1D illustrates one embodiment of beam-forming elements operating inat least some nodes of the network and generating several possible beamcombinations. Beam forming/switching element 10BF1 of 10node1transmits/receives packets to/from 11inter1 via a dedicated beam 10beam1that is directed toward 11inter1, and transmits/receives packets to/from11inter2 via another dedicated beam 10beam3 that is directed toward11inter2. Beam forming/switching element 10BF2 of 10node2 maytransmit/receive packets to/from 11inter1 via a dedicated beam 10beam2that is directed toward 11inter1, and may transmit/receive packetsto/from 11inter3 via another dedicated beam 10beam4 that is directedtoward 11inter2. When transmitting a packet via 13path1, the packet istransmitted by 10BF1 via 10beam1, and may be received by 10BF2 via10beam2. When transmitting a packet via 13path2, the packet istransmitted by 10BF1 via 10beam3, and may be received by 10BF2 via10beam4. Transmissions via 10beam1 may occur in parallel totransmissions via 10beam3, or may occur in conjunction with a timedivision scheme so as to allow only one of the beams 10beam1, 10beam3 tobe active at a time. The purpose of the beams 10beam is to increasesystem gain, increase bit rates, extend transmission distances, lowertransmission power, improve frequency reuse, lower inter-nodeinterferences, or any combination thereof.

FIG. 1E illustrates one embodiment of packets being wirelesslytransported via the various paths of the network and on apacket-by-packet basis. Packet 201, which may be an Internet Protocol(IP) packet, is associated with packet information 201info that may berelated to the type of the packet (e.g., Transmission ControlProtocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), orReal-time Transport Protocol (RTP)), size of the packet, a Quality ofService (QoS) level associated with the packet, a latency requirement ofthe packet, a functionality associated with the packet (e.g., VoIP,Video, non-real-time), or combinations thereof. In a similar fashion,packet 202 is associated with packet information 202info and packet 203is associated with packet information 203info. The packet information(e.g., 201info) may be embedded in the respective packet (201 in thiscase) in a form of a certain field, it may be transmitted/obtainedseparately to the respective packet, it may be derived by the systembased on packet metrics, it can be obtained in other ways, or in acombination of several such ways. The packet information may be relatedto a single packet (as depicted by way of example), or to severalpackets associated with one another.

The system may conclude, based on 202info, that packet 202 does notrequire fast transport between 10node1 and 10node2, and therefore, thesystem may reach a decision (202decide) to use path 13path2 as the pathfor transmitting packet 202, which, for example, may be a slower paththan 13path1. As a direct result of such decision 202decide, the system,using 10BF1, then switches/directs/synthesizes (202switch) thetransmission of packet 202 via 10beam3, which facilitates transmission(202Tx) in conjunction with 13path2 and 11inter2. 10node2, via 10BF2,may then sense a direction from which packet 202 is arriving, andreceive packet 202 via 10beam4, or packet 202 may be receivedomnidirectionally. The time from the decision to switch 202decide,through the completion of the switching 202switch action, and actualtransmission of the packet 202Tx must be short enough to deal withnetwork-level timing, and in general should be kept below 10microseconds, which is readily achievable using solid state antennaswitching/directing/synthesizing techniques. The system may thenconclude, based on 203info, that packet 203 needs to be transported asfast as possible between 10node1 and 10node2, and therefore, the systemmay reach a decision (203decide) to use path 13path1 as the path fortransmitting packet 203, which, for example, may be a faster path than13path2. As a direct result of the decision 203decide, the system, usingagain 10BF1, then switches/directs/synthesizes (203switch) thetransmission of packet 203 via 10beam1, which facilitates transmission(203Tx) in conjunction with 13path1 and 11inter1. 10node2, again via10BF2, may then sense a direction from which packet 203 is arriving, andreceive packet 203 via 10beam2, or packet 203 may be receivedomnidirectionally. In reality, different packets needs to be switched tothe different paths at a very high rate, which may be higher than 10,000packets per second, and as a result the beam configurations 10beam maychange thousands of times per second as the packets, of different types,stream through the network. Movement of packets may also be in theopposite direction (from 10node2 to 10node1) in a similar fashion andswitching rapidly between the different paths 13path.

In one embodiment, small packets requiring low latencies (e.g., packet203) may be blocked by bigger packets that can tolerate higher latencies(e.g., packet 202), and therefore, by diverting the bigger tolerantpackets 202 into path 13path2, the “fast lane” 13path1 is kept “clear”for the smaller packets 203, 201 to propagate fast.

FIG. 2A illustrates one embodiment of a beam switching subsystem withinat least some of the nodes of the network. Beam switching subsystem10BF1 comprises several antennas 10BF1ant (eight are depicted by way ofexample), an RF switching component/s 1SW (e.g., PIN diodes). A computer1CPU controls, using 1SW, the switching 202switch, 203switch betweenantennas 10BF1ant1 and 10BF1ant2 based on the packet-by-packet decisionsmade 202decide, 203decide. The decisions may be done using 1CPU, orusing another computer in 10node1. Components such as RF poweramplifiers 1PA for RF transmission are depicted, but other components,e.g. low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) for reception, and other components arenot shown for the sake of simplicity. The computer 1CPU can include aprocessor that executes software and/or instructions (e.g., stored inmemory operably coupled to the computer 1CPU) to control the switching202switch, 203switch and/or to perform other functions as describedherein.

FIG. 2B illustrates one embodiment of possible beam combinationsgenerated by the beam switching subsystem 10BF1. 10beam1 is generated byantenna 10BF1ant1, and 10beam3 is generated by antenna 10BF1ant2.

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a phased-array beamformingsubsystem 10BF within at least some of the nodes of the network and somepossible beam combinations generated by the beamforming subsystem.10beam1 is generated by adjusting relative transmission phases betweenantennas 1AN1, 1AN2, 1AN3, and 10beam3 is generated by re-adjustingrelative transmission phases between antennas 1AN1, 1AN2, 1AN3.

One embodiment is a system operative to wirelessly transport data from afirst communication node to a second communication node using multiplebeam directions and based on packet-related information, comprising: afirst communication node 10node1 (FIG. 1A) comprising a first multi-beamsubsystem 10BF1; a second communication node 10node2 comprising a secondmulti-beam subsystem 10BF2; and a plurality of at least a first 11inter1and a second 11inter2 intermediary nodes.

It should be noted that multiple beam functionality, or the termmultibeam herein, can refer to temporally sequential generation ofenergy beams, each principally directed towards a respective spatialdirection, or, the simultaneous generation of a plurality of beams, eachprincipally directed towards a respective spatial direction. In thefirst example, the system may comprise one or more RF antenna or sourceelements configured and arranged to generate and transmit RF energyencoding communication signals along a direction, e.g., towards orhaving a main energy lobe as seen on a Bode plot, directed at anintended receiver, e.g., towards the East with respect to thetransmitting element(s). The system may thus transmit wirelesscommunications towards the receiver at an Easterly direction. The systemmay then at a later time generate and direct wireless energy in a lobedirected to the North to be received best by an intended other receiverin a Northerly direction, and so on. We note that the system can operatein an interleaved mode whereby a first single main lobe as described isgenerated in a first direction of interest towards a first receiver,interleaved with or alternatingly in time with a second single main lobegenerated in a second direction of interest towards a second receiver.In the second example, a phased array of a plurality of RF antennas orsource elements is configured and arranged to generate two or moretemporally co-existing (simultaneous) energy lobes as seen on a Bodeplot, which can be directed towards two or more corresponding spatialdirections so as to simultaneously deliver communication signals orpackets to two or more receivers located at the two or more spatialdirections with respect to the transmitter. Thus, any of the abovemethods of directing energy towards multiple receivers, in respectivedirections with respect to the transmitter, are possible with thepresent multibeam feature.

In one embodiment, the system is configured to: transmit 201Tx a firstpacket 201 (FIG. 1E) associated with a first packet-related informationvia a first path 13path1 (FIG. 1B) comprising the first communicationnode 10node1, the first intermediary node 11inter1, and the secondcommunication node 10node2, in which in facilitation of saidtransmission: the first multi-beam subsystem 10BF1 is configured to usea first beam direction 10beam1 (FIG. 1D), and the second multi-beamsubsystem 10BF2 is configured to use a second beam direction 10beam2;and then transmit 202Tx a second packet 202 (FIG. 1E) associated with asecond packet-related information via a second path 13path2 (FIG. 1C)comprising the first communication node 10node1, the second intermediarynode 11inter2, and the second communication node 10node2, in whichimmediately prior to said transmission of the second packet: the firstmulti-beam subsystem 10BF1 is configured to switch 202switch (FIG. 1E)into a third beam direction 10beam3 (FIG. 1D) operative to facilitatetransmission toward the second intermediary node 11inter2, and thesecond multi-beam subsystem 10BF2 is configured to switch into a fourthbeam direction 10beam4 operative to receive the transmission from one ofthe intermediary nodes (e.g., 11inter3).

In one embodiment, said switching 202switch associated with the firstcommunication node 10node1 is done based on the second packet 202 beingassociated with the second packet-related information, and on apacket-by-packet basis.

In one embodiment, the system is further configured to transmit 203Tx(FIG. 1E), via the first path 13path1, a third packet 203 (FIG. 1E)having a different packet-related information than the second packet202, in which immediately prior to said transmission: the firstmulti-beam subsystem 10BF1 switches back 203switch (FIG. 1E) to a statefacilitating transmission via the first path.

In one embodiment, said packet-related information is conveyed in thepackets. In one embodiment, said packet-related information isout-of-band of the packets. In one embodiment, said packet-relatedinformation is derived from type and/or size of data carried by thepackets.

In one embodiment, each of the communication nodes 10node switches beamdirections asynchronously with the other nodes, in which said switchingis done on a packet-by-packet basis.

In one embodiment, the packet-related information is associated withdifferent types of packets that comprise a type associated with at leastone of: (i) TCP/IP, (ii) UDP, and/or (iii) RTP.

In one embodiment, the packet-related information is associated withdifferent types of applications that comprise an application associatedwith at least one of: (i) voice over IP (VoIP), (ii) video streaming,and/or (iii) non-latency critical applications.

In one embodiment, said switching 202switch associated with the firstcommunication node 10node1 occurs in less than 10 (ten) microsecond fromdetermining 202 decide (FIG. 1E) the association of the second packet202 with the second packet-related information.

In one embodiment, said multi-beam subsystem 10BF1, 10BF2 is of a typecomprising associated with at least one of: (i) beam switching (FIG. 2A,FIG. 2B), (ii) phased array (FIG. 3 ), and/or (iii) butler matrix.

In one embodiment, the first path 13path1 is associated with a firstlatency that is lower than a second latency associated with the secondpath 13path2, in which said first packet 201 is determined to require abetter (e.g., lower) latency than a latency required by the secondpacket 202, and in which said determination is based on thepacket-related information.

In one embodiment, the transmissions 201Tx, 202Tx, 203Tx are associatedwith at least one of: (i) WiFi transmissions, (ii) cellulartransmissions, (iii) micro-waves transmissions, and/or (iv)millimeter-wave transmissions.

In one embodiment, said multi-beam subsystems are operative to increasea system gain associated with the system by at least 10 (ten) decibel(dB).

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a method for wirelesslytransporting data from a first communication node to a secondcommunication node using multiple beam directions and based onpacket-related information. The method includes: in step 1001,transmitting 201Tx a first packet 201 (FIG. 1E) associated with a firstpacket-related information via a first path 13path1 (FIG. 1B) comprisinga first communication node 10node1, a first intermediary node 11inter1,and a second communication node 10node2, using a first beam direction10beam1 (FIG. 1D). In step 1002, determining that a second packet 202(FIG. 1E) associated with a second packet-related information is aboutto be transmitted. In step 1003, switching 202switch (FIG. 1E), as aresult of said determination, into another beam direction 10beam3 (FIG.1D) operative to facilitate transmission toward a second intermediarynode 11inter2. In step 1004, transmitting 202Tx the second packet 202(FIG. 1E) associated with the second packet-related information via asecond path 13path2 (FIG. 1C) comprising the first communication node10node1, the second intermediary node 11inter2, and the secondcommunication node 10node2.

In one embodiment, said switching is momentary and for the purpose oftransmitting said second packet associated with the secondpacket-related information, in which the method further comprises:switching back to the first path for a next packet in line fortransmission.

In one embodiment, the second communication node is a destination ofboth the first and second packets. In one embodiment, the secondcommunication node is a final destination of both the first and secondpackets.

In one embodiment, the communication nodes are part of a wireless meshtopology, in which the first path and the second path represents twodifferent ways of propagating the packets from the first to the secondcommunication nodes.

One embodiment is a system operative to wirelessly transport data from afirst communication node to a second communication node using multiplebeam directions and based on packet-related information, comprising: afirst communication node 10node1 (FIG. 1A) comprising a first multi-beamsubsystem 10BF1; and a second communication node 10node2.

In one embodiment, the system is configured to: transmit 201Tx a firstpacket 201 (FIG. 1E) associated with a first packet-related informationvia a first path 13path1 (FIG. 1B) comprising the first and the secondcommunication nodes, in which in facilitation of said transmission: thefirst multi-beam subsystem 10BF1 is configured to use a first beamdirection 10beam1 (FIG. 1D); and then transmit 202Tx a second packet 202(FIG. 1E) associated with a second packet-related information via asecond path 13path2 (FIG. 1C) comprising the first and the secondcommunication nodes, in which: (i) immediately prior to saidtransmission of the second packet: the first multi-beam subsystem 10BF1is configured to switch 202switch (FIG. 1E) into another beam direction10beam3 (FIG. 1D), and (ii) said switching 202switch associated with thefirst communication node 10node1 is done based on the second packet 202being associated with the second packet-related information, and on apacket-by-packet basis.

In this description, numerous specific details are set forth. However,the embodiments/cases of the invention may be practiced without some ofthese specific details. In other instances, well-known hardware,materials, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail inorder not to obscure the understanding of this description. In thisdescription, references to “one embodiment” and “one case” mean that thefeature being referred to may be included in at least oneembodiment/case of the invention. Moreover, separate references to “oneembodiment”, “some embodiments”, “one case”, or “some cases” in thisdescription do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment/case.Illustrated embodiments/cases are not mutually exclusive, unless sostated and except as will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art. Thus, the invention may include any variety of combinationsand/or integrations of the features of the embodiments/cases describedherein. Also herein, flow diagrams illustrate non-limitingembodiment/case examples of the methods, and block diagrams illustratenon-limiting embodiment/case examples of the devices. Some operations inthe flow diagrams may be described with reference to theembodiments/cases illustrated by the block diagrams. However, themethods of the flow diagrams could be performed by embodiments/cases ofthe invention other than those discussed with reference to the blockdiagrams, and embodiments/cases discussed with reference to the blockdiagrams could perform operations different from those discussed withreference to the flow diagrams. Moreover, although the flow diagrams maydepict serial operations, certain embodiments/cases could performcertain operations in parallel and/or in different orders from thosedepicted. Moreover, the use of repeated reference numerals and/orletters in the text and/or drawings is for the purpose of simplicity andclarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between thevarious embodiments/cases and/or configurations discussed. Furthermore,methods and mechanisms of the embodiments/cases will sometimes bedescribed in singular form for clarity. However, some embodiments/casesmay include multiple iterations of a method or multiple instantiationsof a mechanism unless noted otherwise. For example, when a controller oran interface are disclosed in an embodiment/case, the scope of theembodiment/case is intended to also cover the use of multiplecontrollers or interfaces.

Certain features of the embodiments/cases, which may have been, forclarity, described in the context of separate embodiments/cases, mayalso be provided in various combinations in a single embodiment/case.Conversely, various features of the embodiments/cases, which may havebeen, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment/case,may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Theembodiments/cases are not limited in their applications to the detailsof the order or sequence of steps of operation of methods, or to detailsof implementation of devices, set in the description, drawings, orexamples. In addition, individual blocks illustrated in the figures maybe functional in nature and do not necessarily correspond to discretehardware elements. While the methods disclosed herein have beendescribed and shown with reference to particular steps performed in aparticular order, it is understood that these steps may be combined,sub-divided, or reordered to form an equivalent method without departingfrom the teachings of the embodiments/cases. Accordingly, unlessspecifically indicated herein, the order and grouping of the steps isnot a limitation of the embodiments/cases.

Embodiments/cases described in conjunction with specific examples arepresented by way of example, and not limitation. Moreover, it is evidentthat many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace allsuch alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within thespirit and scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

The invention should not be considered limited to the particularembodiments described above. Various modifications, equivalentprocesses, as well as numerous structures to which the invention may beapplicable, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art towhich the invention is directed upon review of this disclosure. Theabove-described embodiments may be implemented in numerous ways. One ormore aspects and embodiments involving the performance of processes ormethods may utilize program instructions executable by a device (e.g., acomputer, a processor, or other device) to perform, or controlperformance of, the processes or methods.

In this respect, various inventive concepts may be embodied as anon-transitory computer readable storage medium (or multiplenon-transitory computer readable storage media) (e.g., a computer memoryof any suitable type including transitory or non-transitory digitalstorage units, circuit configurations in Field Programmable Gate Arraysor other semiconductor devices, or other tangible computer storagemedium) encoded with one or more programs that, when executed on one ormore computers or other processors, perform methods that implement oneor more of the various embodiments described above. When implemented insoftware (e.g., as an app), the software code may be executed on anysuitable processor or collection of processors, whether provided in asingle computer or distributed among multiple computers.

Further, it should be appreciated that a computer may be embodied in anyof a number of forms, such as a rack-mounted computer, a desktopcomputer, a laptop computer, or a tablet computer, as non-limitingexamples. Additionally, a computer may be embedded in a device notgenerally regarded as a computer but with suitable processingcapabilities, including a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a smartphoneor any other suitable portable or fixed electronic device.

Also, a computer may have one or more communication devices, which maybe used to interconnect the computer to one or more other devices and/orsystems, such as, for example, one or more networks in any suitableform, including a local area network or a wide area network, such as anenterprise network, and intelligent network (IN) or the Internet. Suchnetworks may be based on any suitable technology and may operateaccording to any suitable protocol and may include wireless networks orwired networks.

Also, a computer may have one or more input devices and/or one or moreoutput devices. These devices can be used, among other things, topresent a user interface. Examples of output devices that may be used toprovide a user interface include printers or display screens for visualpresentation of output and speakers or other sound generating devicesfor audible presentation of output. Examples of input devices that maybe used for a user interface include keyboards, and pointing devices,such as mice, touch pads, and digitizing tablets. As another example, acomputer may receive input information through speech recognition or inother audible formats.

The non-transitory computer readable medium or media may betransportable, such that the program or programs stored thereon may beloaded onto one or more different computers or other processors toimplement various one or more of the aspects described above. In someembodiments, computer readable media may be non-transitory media.

The terms “program,” “app,” and “software” are used herein in a genericsense to refer to any type of computer code or set ofcomputer-executable instructions that may be employed to program acomputer or other processor to implement various aspects as describedabove. Additionally, it should be appreciated that, according to oneaspect, one or more computer programs that when executed perform methodsof this application need not reside on a single computer or processor,but may be distributed in a modular fashion among a number of differentcomputers or processors to implement various aspects of thisapplication.

Computer-executable instructions may be in many forms, such as programmodules, executed by one or more computers or other devices. Generally,program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, datastructures, etc. that performs particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may becombined or distributed as desired in various embodiments.

Also, data structures may be stored in computer-readable media in anysuitable form. For simplicity of illustration, data structures may beshown to have fields that are related through location in the datastructure. Such relationships may likewise be achieved by assigningstorage for the fields with locations in a computer-readable medium thatconvey relationship between the fields. However, any suitable mechanismmay be used to establish a relationship between information in fields ofa data structure, including through the use of pointers, tags or othermechanisms that establish relationship between data elements.

Thus, the disclosure and claims include new and novel improvements toexisting methods and technologies, which were not previously known norimplemented to achieve the useful results described above. Users of themethod and system will reap tangible benefits from the functions nowmade possible on account of the specific modifications described hereincausing the effects in the system and its outputs to its users. It isexpected that significantly improved operations can be achieved uponimplementation of the claimed invention, using the technical componentsrecited herein.

Also, as described, some aspects may be embodied as one or more methods.The acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitableway. Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which acts areperformed in an order different than illustrated, which may includeperforming some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequentialacts in illustrative embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system operative to wirelessly transport datafrom a first communication node to a second communication node usingmultiple beam directions and based on packet-related information,comprising: the first communication node comprising a first multi-beamsubsystem; the second communication node comprising a second multi-beamsubsystem; and a plurality of intermediary nodes including at leastfirst and second intermediary nodes, wherein the system is configuredto: transmit a first packet associated with a first packet-relatedinformation via a first path comprising the first communication node,the first intermediary node, and the second communication node, in whichin facilitation of said transmission: the first multi-beam subsystem isconfigured to use a first beam direction, and the second multi-beamsubsystem is configured to use a second beam direction; and thentransmit a second packet associated with a second packet-relatedinformation via a second path comprising the first communication node,the second intermediary node, and the second communication node, inwhich immediately prior to said transmission of the second packet: thefirst multi-beam subsystem is configured to switch into a third beamdirection operative to facilitate transmission toward the secondintermediary node, and the second multi-beam subsystem is configured toswitch into a fourth beam direction operative to receive thetransmission from one of the intermediary nodes.
 2. The system of claim1, wherein said switching associated with the first communication nodeis done based on the second packet being associated with the secondpacket-related information, and on a packet-by-packet basis.
 3. Thesystem of claim 2, wherein the system is further configured to transmit,via the first path, a third packet having a different packet-relatedinformation than the second packet, in which immediately prior to saidtransmission of the second packet: the first multi-beam subsystemswitches back to a state facilitating transmission via the first path.4. The system of claim 2, wherein said packet-related information isconveyed in the first and second packets.
 5. The system of claim 2,wherein said packet-related information is out-of-band of the first andsecond packets.
 6. The system of claim 2, wherein said packet-relatedinformation is derived from a type and/or a size of data carried by thefirst and second packets.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein each of thefirst and second communication nodes switches beam directionsasynchronously with the first and second intermediary nodes, in whichsaid switching is done on a packet-by-packet basis.
 8. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the packet-related information is associated withdifferent types of packets that comprise a type associated with at leastone of: (i) Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP),(ii) User Datagram Protocol (UDP), and/or (iii) Real-time TransportProtocol (RTP).
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the packet-relatedinformation is associated with different types of applications thatcomprise an application associated with at least one of: (i) voice overIP (VoIP), (ii) video streaming, and/or (iii) non-latency criticalapplications.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein said switchingassociated with the first communication node occurs in less than 10(ten) microseconds from determining the association of the second packetwith the second packet-related information.
 11. The system of claim 1,wherein said first and second multi-beam subsystems are of a typeassociated with at least one of: (i) beam switching, (ii) phase array,and/or (iii) butler matrix.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the firstpath is associated with a first latency that is lower than a secondlatency associated with the second path, in which said first packet isdetermined to require a lower latency than a latency required by thesecond packet, and in which said determination is based on thepacket-related information.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein thetransmissions are associated with at least one of: (i) WiFitransmissions, (ii) cellular transmissions, (iii) micro-wavestransmissions, and/or (iv) millimeter-wave transmissions.
 14. The systemof claim 1, wherein said first and second multi-beam subsystems areoperative to increase a system gain associated with the system by atleast 10 (ten) decibel (dB).
 15. A method for wirelessly transportingdata from a first communication node to a second communication nodeusing multiple beam directions and based on packet-related information,comprising: transmitting a first packet associated with a firstpacket-related information via a first path comprising the firstcommunication node, a first intermediary node, and the secondcommunication node, using a first beam direction; determining that asecond packet associated with a second packet-related information isabout to be transmitted; switching, as a result of said determining,into another beam direction operative to facilitate transmission towarda second intermediary node; and transmitting the second packetassociated with the second packet-related information via a second pathcomprising the first communication node, the second intermediary node,and the second communication node.
 16. The method of claim 15, whereinsaid switching is momentary and the method further comprises: switchingback to the first path for a next packet in line for transmission. 17.The method of claim 15, wherein the second communication node is adestination of both the first and second packets.
 18. The method ofclaim 17, wherein the second communication node is a final destinationof both the first and second packets.
 19. The method of claim 17,wherein the first and second communication nodes are part of a wirelessmesh topology, in which the first path and the second path representstwo different ways of propagating the first and second packets from thefirst to the second communication nodes.
 20. A system operative towirelessly transport data from a first communication node to a secondcommunication node using multiple beam directions and based onpacket-related information, comprising: the first communication nodecomprising a first multi-beam subsystem; and the second communicationnode, wherein the system is configured to: transmit a first packetassociated with a first packet-related information via a first pathcomprising the first and the second communication nodes, in which infacilitation of said transmission: the first multi-beam subsystem isconfigured to use a first beam direction; and then transmit a secondpacket associated with a second packet-related information via a secondpath comprising the first and the second communication nodes, in which:(i) immediately prior to said transmission of the second packet: thefirst multi-beam subsystem is configured to switch into another beamdirection, and (ii) said switching associated with the firstcommunication node is done based on the second packet being associatedwith the second packet-related information, and on a packet-by-packetbasis.